Industry Overview - The Internet of Things (IoT) chip industry has a comprehensive supply chain, with upstream suppliers providing raw materials and equipment, midstream manufacturers handling design, production, and testing, and downstream application service providers integrating chips into various devices [1][2]. Key Players - Major upstream suppliers include SMIC, Zhonghuan, Nanda Optoelectronics, and others, while midstream manufacturers consist of ZTE, Tailin Microelectronics, and others. Downstream service providers include Alibaba Cloud, China Mobile IoT, and Xiaomi [2]. Regional Distribution - Key IoT chip companies are concentrated in economically developed regions such as Jiangsu, Guangdong, Beijing, and Shanghai, with Jiangsu and Shanghai showing rapid development in the IoT chip sector [4]. Business Layout Comparison - Companies like Silan Micro, SiTewave, and Allwinner Technology focus primarily on the domestic market, while Beijing Junzheng, Zhaoyi Innovation, and Ankai Micro target international markets. Tailin Microelectronics has a significant focus on IoT chips, with 90.62% of its revenue coming from this sector [6][8]. Investment Trends and Business Plans - Companies are increasing R&D investments to enhance chip performance. For instance, Ruixin Micro plans to launch a new AI vision chip by May 2025, while Allwinner Technology is focusing on low-power designs for its IoT Bluetooth audio chips [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The company, Guokewai, is planning to acquire a semiconductor foundry and custom chip manufacturing business, marking a significant step in the integration of the domestic chip industry [1][2][3] Company Overview - Guokewai was established in 2008 and is headquartered in Changsha, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's Growth Enterprise Market in 2017, and is recognized as a national-level integrated circuit design enterprise [1] - The company has focused on chip design and development using a Fabless model, outsourcing production processes to large professional integrated circuit manufacturers [1] - In 2024, Guokewai achieved a revenue of 1.978 billion yuan and a net profit of 97 million yuan, with a revenue of 305 million yuan and a net profit of 51.51 million yuan in Q1 2025, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth [1] Industry Context - The semiconductor foundry industry is a critical manufacturing hub within the semiconductor supply chain, with China’s foundry sector experiencing rapid growth supported by national policies, although it still lags behind international standards, especially in advanced processes below 28nm [2] - The acquisition target operates in the "computer, communication, and other electronic device manufacturing" sector, specifically in "electronic device manufacturing," focusing on specialized semiconductor foundry and custom chip manufacturing [2] Strategic Move - The acquisition is seen as a crucial measure for Guokewai to overcome challenges posed by supply chain fluctuations and capacity limitations inherent in the Fabless model [2] - If successful, the acquisition will enable Guokewai to transition from a purely Fabless model to a partially Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) model, enhancing its competitive advantage across the entire chip industry chain [3]